Lilien, who had just lent her ear to the maid who appeared, gave an awkward smile. It was probably a conversation about me.
I wasn’t sure if the maid had lied for Moore’s sake, but as long as she wasn’t deceiving Lilien… No, even if it was her intention, it didn’t matter. I trusted Lilien enough to believe she had her reasons.
I stood quietly by the door, watching them.
The two of them looked harmonious and perfect, like a painting. Normally, I would have entered without hesitation and taken a seat beside them, but I remembered Lilien’s awkward smile.
‘Ah.’
I had forgotten.
She had always treated me with kindness and devotion, making me forget the obvious truth.
Right now, I followed her around like a newborn chick imprinting on the first thing it sees. But once she entered high society, her side would be filled with people far beyond what I could compare to.
‘Then she’ll have many friends, so even if I leave…’
A hollow laugh escaped me at the sudden thought. A familiar loneliness, like that of a stranger in my own marriage, washed over me. Just a moment ago, I had been terrified that Edmund might kill me.
A clear and undeniable boundary seemed to separate us, drawn right at the doorway. No relationship, no matter how close, was truly eternal.
Straightening my back, I turned around. Walking through the dimly lit corridor, I tried to sort through the chaos in my mind.
‘It’s time to leave the mansion.’
This distance felt just right. I didn’t want to experience this intrusive sense of isolation or this bitter loneliness ever again.
I also didn’t want to harbor the suspicion that Edmund might harm me. After all, he had shown me mercy despite my attempt to have his sister assassinated.
Yes, I would leave. Having made up my mind, I walked on, but the hallway seemed unbearably long and distant.
Today, for some reason, the path felt longer than usual. I had to swallow hard to push down the heat rising in my throat.
“I’m planning to leave the mansion.”
For a moment, the flower petal that Edmund had been touching trembled. The one who was truly shaken, however, was not the flower but the hand holding it.
“…What did you just say?”
His cold eyes flickered wildly with confusion. It was understandable, as I had suddenly brought up this topic while we were walking through the garden under the blazing sun.
Lilien hadn’t joined us for breakfast today. Neither had Edmund. Instead, he appeared after lunch and, unusually, suggested we take a walk.
I thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring up my departure.
“Count.”
It was the first time I had called him that. The new title felt strangely unfamiliar on my tongue.
I let out a quiet laugh and walked along the path lined with garden trees. Edmund followed behind me with a hardened expression.
“I always planned to leave after the divorce. I’ve been relying on you for long enough, little brother. Thanks to you, the divorce was finalized smoothly.”
Ignoring the sharp gaze that seemed to pierce the back of my head, I headed toward the gazebo with the arched roof. It was the same place where we had once talked about Devon.
The shade of the gazebo offered a cool respite from the heat.
As I moved to sit at the tea table, Edmund quickly pulled out a chair for me. I gave him a grateful nod and took my seat.
“Sit down, little brother.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly, staring down at me with a sharp gaze. His expression suggested he wanted me to continue.
I gestured to a maid following at a distance, ordering some cold tea.
Just as I was about to adjust the slightly tilted chair, Edmund stepped forward, stopping me.
Looking up, I could see the shadows on his face, but his sharp amber eyes remained clear.
“Why?”
“I have my pride. I can’t keep depending on you forever.”
“Haven’t you always been shameless about such things?”
Oh, this man.
I let out a light laugh and shrugged.
“That’s true. But after the divorce, it really hit me all at once. Maybe because I suddenly have a lot of money?”
Edmund narrowed his eyes at my joke, clearly displeased. I had expected him to remain indifferent and let me go, so his reaction was a bit surprising.
The coolness in his gaze sent a chill through me, making me offer an awkward smile.
“Well, now that I’m financially stable, and since the period you suggested is over, I’m leaving the mansion. Do you remember the business I mentioned? It’s a groundbreaking idea related to Lebron. Want to hear about it?”
“You can manage it while staying here.”
“I feel uncomfortable relying on you any longer. No matter how comfortable this place is, it’s not the same as a home I’ve built myself.”
Damn, my tone came out sharper than intended. Realizing the conversation was turning into an argument, I tensed.
I wasn’t trying to cut ties forever—I just wanted to move out now that he had taken his position as head of the family. I hadn’t expected such a strong reaction.
Sensing the rising tension, I softened my gaze and smiled.
“I’ll visit often. Lilien might feel overwhelmed navigating high society alone. She’ll need someone close to share gossip with and ask for advice. So, we’ll still be in the same boat—”
“Tell me the truth.”
His cold voice cut through the air.
“Don’t hide your true feelings behind that usual smiling face.”
“Little brother, I think you’re misunderstanding—”
Startled, I looked up hastily, only to meet his disapproving gaze. Despite his reproachful tone, there was a gentleness in his eyes.
“…Are you planning to cry alone again?”
“What…?”
“Is it because of the guild leader’s disappearance?”
I sucked in a sharp breath, my chest tightening painfully. Edmund observed me for a moment, then closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
“As I thought.”
A dry chuckle slipped through his lips. He had brought up a topic I had desperately avoided with such ease.
“So, I was still being watched.”
I laughed bitterly, and his hand, which had been rubbing his forehead, trembled slightly. His tone was certain—he knew I was aware of the guild leader’s disappearance. And there was only one way he could have known that: by having me followed.
“Let’s call it protection, not surveillance.”
As Edmund lowered his hand, discomfort and a hint of guilt flickered in his eyes.
So, he had known about the assassination attempt from the beginning.
For the first time, it felt like we were having an actual conversation, not just exchanging pleasantries.
I pressed my lips together, my mind in turmoil. Should I apologize for almost killing Lilien? Or should I brush it off with a joke, as I always did?
‘I wanted to leave so I wouldn’t have to face this…’
As I laughed bitterly, a realization struck me like lightning.
Edmund must have known all along that I would be the one most sensitive to the guild leader’s disappearance.
But if he knew, why did he take the risk and deal with the guild leader so late?
I stared at him, trying to decipher his true intentions. As if reading my thoughts, he spoke.
“The guild leader’s fate was merely a postponed decision. It also served to show the Duke of Mipedian that we are not to be taken lightly. And…”
“And?”
Looking troubled, he hesitated before speaking again.
“It was also for your sake.”
“…What?”
I blinked in surprise. For my sake? His face showed clear discomfort.
“Those who kill for money have no real loyalty. If word ever got out, you wouldn’t just face scandal—you’d be condemned for life.”
Edmund’s brows furrowed, his expression unreadable.
He really did it for me? Because I might be in danger?
As I stared at him, dazed by this unexpected revelation, Edmund briefly averted his gaze before meeting mine again. He looked almost like a boy awaiting scolding.
“…Are you afraid of me?”
I was a bit surprised by his unexpected reaction.
It was because he looked at me with such soft eyes—something that didn’t suit him at all—and asked that question.
He seemed to think I was leaving the mansion because I was scared of him for killing the Guild Master.
Am I scared…? Of course, a little.
I knew how terrifying he could be in the original story, where he cut me down without hesitation.
Even if he wouldn’t hurt me now, who’s to say when those buried problems might rise to the surface and cause trouble again?
I smiled lightly and said,
“A little. But it’s not because of the Guild Master.”
My sense of morality was perfectly normal,
but the Guild Master was someone who didn’t deserve even a drop of pity.
If anything, many victims would feel their pain relieved.
Edmund sighed in relief at my answer.
Though really, I should be the one feeling relieved—he was the one who forgave me.
“I’m sorry. I was so angry about Devon’s affair that I lost control.
I’ve been too scared to say anything until now.”
“I understand. Our first meeting wasn’t exactly normal, after all.”
Haha. I gave a small laugh.
Suddenly, I remembered that fierce look in his eyes from before.
Thinking back now, the disdain I saw back then probably meant,
‘How dare you stick around the person I was trying to kill with that thick skin of yours.’
Whew, thank goodness it all worked out.
Just remembering how I had joked with Edmund back then, not even realizing a blade was practically at my neck, sends chills down my spine.
I gave an awkward smile and lowered my head slightly, feeling a bit ashamed.
“I want to tell Lilien everything honestly and ask for her forgiveness too—”
“My sister already knows.”
What?
It felt like getting hit in the head with another heavy blow.
